Columbus NE Woman of Impact 2025

03/31/2026

03/31/2026

02/14/2026

Days before her 31st birthday, Jennifer Rose Goldman had a devastating stroke caused by bleeding in the brain. She had to relearn how to sit up, to walk and even brush her teeth.

Jennifer moved in with her parents after her stay in the hospital and rehab. Therapists visited daily to work on her movement and speech and on performing everyday tasks. She began walking using a walker and braces. But she’d also lost her peripheral vision, which affected her balance.

While Jennifer struggled at times with her short-term memory, she was able to process information in front of her and communicate clearly.

She’d noticed her mother, Caryn, taking notes on a laptop about everything that had happened since the stroke. Caryn printed them, and she and Jennifer began sitting together each day to read the entries.

“It was so painful to see how traumatized my family was,” Jennifer said. “But I thought it was important to know everything that happened because I needed to process it all.”

Mother and daughter decided to turn their reflections into a book. It gave Jennifer a challenge and a focus.

More than 4 years after the stroke, Jennifer continues to receive physical, occupational and speech therapy. She works part time in the family business. She still has no peripheral vision, so she’s not steady on her feet. She uses a walker or wheelchair depending on what she needs to do.

Caryn admires how her daughter has persevered. But she’s not surprised, because Jennifer’s always been motivated and goal oriented. “It’s those skills that have permitted her to be where she is now.”

Jennifer hopes her story will inspire others.

“I am a work in progress and forever will be,” she said. “I let myself grieve, but I don’t wallow. I have hope and I have plans. It’s a choice.”

Read Jennifer's Story From the Heart: http://spr.ly/6184hrM3K

01/14/2026

Find answers to your frequently asked questions about heart attack, stroke and more.

01/14/2026

Some of our actual resolutions this year ✍️

Healthy changes don’t need to be expensive or complicated -- the best habits are the ones that fit your real life. Breaking down big goals into small, achievable steps is a great way to make goals feel more manageable.

Instead of saying “I want to eat healthier,” try saying “I will add one fruit or veggie to lunch every day this week.”

What small steps are you taking towards a healthier you in 2026?

12/11/2025

12/11/2025

12/11/2025

Get your blood pressure checked at least once a year and understand what the numbers mean. Severe high blood pressure combined with symptoms such as chest pain or trouble speaking may be a hypertensive emergency, according to the new high blood pressure guideline, and you should call 911 immediately.